Dental implants are replacement teeth that take the place of missing tooth or teeth. The implants are made of titanium because this metal integrates well with the human body during healing. The procedure has been around since the mid-1960s and has gained immense popularity today because it offers a simple and safe solution for patients with missing teeth.
What are dental implants used for?
- To support a crown that is used to replace an individual missing tooth
- To support a bridge that covers the gap left by multiple missing teeth
- To support dentures
What is the process like?
Examination
A King West Dentistry dentist will sit down with you to explain concerns and offer professional recommendations based on your desires and needs. When dental implants are determined to be ideal for you, the dentist will perform a dental exam using X-rays to determine the best spot for the implants. Placement of implants depends on your jawbone shape and the location of the nerves and sinuses. Treatment is based on your facial structure. A CT scan may be needed to provide the dentist with a 3D model of your mouth. Thereafter, the implants can be placed.
Placement of the implants
Depending on the patient the dentist can either use a single-stage or double-stage procedure. Both procedures begin with a cut being made in the gum tissue to expose the bone. The dentist then drills into the bone to create a hole for the implant.
Single-stage procedure
- The titanium implant will be placed in the drilled hole and covered using a healing cap
- After 3 to 6 months of recovery the dentist replaces the healing cap with a permanent fixture known as an abutment
- The crown will then be sealed over the abutment
Double-stage procedure
- The dentist caps off the implant using a cover screw for protection
- The gum is sewn up over the screw to facilitate healing
- After healing the dentist makes a cut into the gum to reveal the implant and then secures the healing cap on it
- After complete healing, the dentist replaces the healing cap with an abutment which is permanent.
- A crown is then placed on the abutment.
The King West Dentistry dentist will help you know whether you need single-stage or double-stage procedure. The double-stage procedure is mostly used when the patient doesn’t have enough bone. Bone grafting is used to add more bone. Bone regeneration technique may also be used.
A patient may need more bone before a dental implant because of the following reasons:
• Bone loss due to injury, aging or periodontal disease
• Denture wear and tear
• Teeth have been missing for long. Healthy teeth promote the natural renewal of bone.
At King West Dentistry your comfort is our top priority and we want you to have a bright natural smile and great oral health for years. At the end of the dental implant treatment, we will give you instructions on how to care for your new teeth. You should follow these instructions to the letter.
